Understanding the use of automation in helicopters
Host institution
Delft University of Technology (The Netherlands)
Supervisors
Co-tutoring institution
Politecnico di Milano (Italy)
Start date
Strictly before end of May 2017
Duration
48 months
Gross salary
38.925,00 € per year
Work location
Mainly Delft (The Netherlands) and Milano (Italy)
Objective
Automatic equipment seems to function best in routine tasks, when the pilot workload is light. When the task requires more assistance and when workload is high, often the automatic equipment is of least assistance — this is one of the ‘ironies of automation’. Recent accidents with helicopters show that while e.g., autopilots can greatly reduce pilot workload they can also result in erroneous pilot actions and issues with safety.
For fixed-wing aircraft it has become evident that rather than striving exclusively to mitigate human error with introducing more automated systems, the emphasis has shifted to exploring ways in which technology can facilitate human adaptiveness and flexibility to cope with unforeseen events (i.e., to enhance resilience). For helicopters, however, there is very little research in this area. The main objective of this project is to fill in this gap and to better understand the relationship needed between automated control systems, decision support systems, and humans in order to enhance the overall safety of helicopter flight missions.
The ESR will need to develop guidelines related to the required level of automation needed during different helicopter operating conditions. He/she will develop novel automation (including ecological interfaces) necessary for helicopters in some specific safety-critical situations. Examples are emergency landings after engine failure, and operating with respect to a moving landing platform on ships. Expected results consist of the development of a methodology capable of predicting how helicopter automatic systems can achieve the best coordination between humans and automation in support of emergencies. The project uses the SIMONA Research Simulator (SRS) at TU Delft, together with other simulator facilities available to the NITROS project.
Research profile
This researcher will be working with TU Delft (The Netherlands) and POLIMI (Italy) towards a dual doctorate degree. Secondments to research institutes will be performed at The National Aerospace Center (NLR) in the Netherlands for collecting a database of helicopter accidents specific to automation, at Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for revising current rules on cockpit automation, and at Finmeccanica for industrial experience and testing of the flight directors developed in this project.
Research field
• Human factors
• Human control and Automation
• Rotorcraft
• Simulator/flight test planning, pilot evaluation
• Modelling and Simulation
• Flight dynamics
• Handling qualities
• Visuals
Requirements
• MSc degree in aerospace engineering (preferred)
• Experience with human control and automation
• Ability to program in Matlab and/or C
• Solid background in flight dynamics and control
Type of contract
The candidates will be offered a fully-funded 4-year PhD program jointly between Delft University of Technology and POLIMI.
Additional Eligibility criteria
English language (IELTS overall score 6.5; no sub-test less than 6.0)
